RESIDENTS are being encouraged to have their say in transforming the county into a combined authority.

If the Government gives the go-ahead, it would guide decisions on transport, planning, skills and other key issues affecting city, county and district councils.

Leicestershire County Council says it would not replace individual councils and their current services but would enable them to work more closely together. The proposed authority would oversee planning – councils could work together to agree “a clearer, long-term framework to meet future housing and employment needs for the whole area and identify future growth locations”.

It would also look at transport – “focussing on long-term investment in road, rail and other public transport infrastructure” and skills – “driving and delivering skills and training, to give local people the chance to get better qualifications and employment.”

It would also look at devolution – “closer working through a combined authority is an important step to getting more powers from Government, ensuring local decisions are made locally.”

In July, the Echo reported that council leaders in Leicestershire announced proposals to create a combined authority.

Leicester’s City Mayor, Leicestershire County Council’s leader and leaders of the seven district councils agreed in principle to proposals for a joint body dealing with major decisions affecting the entire city and county.

They met on June 25 to confirm their proposals, which will be sent to the Government for consideration. The proposals will seek to devolve decision-making powers and funding from London to the Leicester and Leicestershire area, which is home to a million people in total.

You can have your say on the outline proposals at www.llca.org.uk , before October 20.

Once the council has your views, it intends to submit a proposal to the Government early next year.